INSPI(RED) BY BONO

Paul David Hewson (aka BONO), musician, singer-songwriter, activist, philanthropist, and main vocalist of the Irish rock band U2, was born and reared in Dublin, Ireland, in the sixties. A review of Bono’s six earliest memories reveals his activist’s roots – even to the extent of pinpointing when it all began. (note: see the previous post, entitled BOY BONO to read the memories on which the following commentary is based.)

Briefly, Memory #1 is like a singular Cliff Note for Bono’s entire life. Here he describes himself as a screaming child from the time he was born, because of something "to do with my heart." Yes! … and now he is singing about, and speaking out about (and also taking action about) the causes, ideals, and principles that ignite his passion (his heart) and capture his attention, his enthusiasm, and his resources toward making a difference.

Memory #2 is a pivotal memory; because it represents the day he stopped screaming and started taking action….started correcting an ill. He recalls not tolerating a bully who “bit his [friend’s] ear,” that most critical of body parts for a musician.

Memory #3 contains a symbolic picture of one who hangs himself out on the ledge for his beliefs…calling out to his mates below, damning his father, the “absolute ass” who got it all wrong (i.e., the authority figure who gets it all wrong).

Memories #4 gives us a picture of Bono’s dad seeming to be on stage – standing at the top of the stairs screaming (much like U2) while Bono and is mother take the role of audience members. Bono is fascinated by the dramatic event, and his mother, laughing hysterically, is completely amused, despite being aware of her husband’s pain (...similar to the global audience witnessing pain around the world, yet ignoring it).

Memory #5 reveals his mother to be one who gave Bono license to do whatever he wanted.

And finally, Memory #6 shows us that Bono does not like to stand still (i.e., do nothing, be apathetic, ignore an injustice, etc.). In this recollection, he takes the rap for his eleven-year-old brother, the only one tall enough to have taken the leopard now missing from the mantel. Bono, at three, recalls his indignation at being blamed...and he doesn’t like it (or like being pictured that way either).

In Bono, we have an extremely talented, principled-driven activist who continues to use his enormous talent to step on an even larger stage than the one he shares with U2 …in order to raise awareness about third-world debt and the plight of Africa, including the AIDS pandemic. As one of the world’s most well-known philanthropic performers, Bono’s worldview certainly is I have something to say... and, of course, the most authentic way...in fact, the only indisputable way "to say something" is with one's behavior.